We all know that applying SPF is a must––both when the sun shines and when it doesn't––but how much thought have you put into what's in your sunscreen? Here we round up 8 of the best eco-friendly and ocean-safe options you can buy in Hong Kong
Sunscreen is a staple during the summer months, and though we should be wearing some form of sun protection year round, the warmer months of the year are really when it comes into its own. Especially in Hong Kong––with months ahead of us featuring beach days, hikes and island explorations––it pays to pay a little more attention to the ingredient list of our sunscreens.
Recent studies show that the common ingredients of oxybenzone and octinoxate are amongst the biggest culprits that lead to coral bleaching, with many of the other main ingredients in your everyday sunscreens also potentially toxic to marine life. But with so many advances in recent years in the world of SPF, we can now happily and safely reach for products that offer comprehensive sun protection and non-greasy formulas, with the added bonus being that many brands now offer ocean-friendly mineral and non-nano zinc oxide formulas.
So, the next time you take a dip in the ocean––be it in Hong Kong or somewhere further flung––opt for one of these reef-safe sunscreens.
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1. Avasol Surfer’s Barrier Sunscreen Stick SPF50+
This maximum-strength formula by Avasol is safe and effective, offering SPF50+ sun protection.
The stick formula is packaged in recycled paper––ensuring that the design won’t become another single use plastic left on the beach––with the formula containing only natural, organic and wildcrafted raw ingredients, with no nanoparticles, GMOs, parabens, petrochemicals or synthetic chemicals. Available in a light, tan and dark, the sunscreen also offers up a little extra coverage, along with UV protection.
Available at Live Zero
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